Starting and Maintaining Your Food Business
When building a new food premise or making structural alterations to an existing food business you need to apply for approval from the Environmental Health by filling out the Approval to Construct or Alter a Food Business Application.
Prior to opening your business you will need to arrange for an inspection of the premises by an Environmental Health Officer to ensure all food is being stored, handled, cooked and served safely. If they are satisfied that the premise complies with the Food Act and the Food Safety Standards Code a certificate of registration will be issued to you allowing you to trade. How frequently officers visit will depend on the type of food you are serving, who your customers are and how high your food hygiene practises and records are.
For more information on opening a food business download the Guide to the Design, Construction and Fit Out of A Food Business info sheet or contact the Environmental Health Team to discuss your plans.
Operating a Food Business From Home
If you would like to open a food business you will need to complete a Notification/Registration of a Residential Food Business Application.
The Department of Health advises that only low risk food activities can be carried out from domestic premises.
Low risk food activities – includes the production of:
- Jams and marmalades
- Nougats, fudges, meringues and Turkish delights
- Cake decorating and repacking of bulk packaged low risk confectionery products
- Pickled onions
- Herb vinegars with a pH of less than 4.5
- Chutneys, relishes and sauces that are heat treated by boiling or cooking
- Spices and spice mixers such as Dry Curry Powder with ingredients being purchased from an approved food business
For more information on operating a food business at home read the Food Act 2008 Fact Sheet.
Fixed Food Business
If you would like to operate a 'Fixed Food Business', you will be required to fill out an Application for Notification/Registration of Food Business.
Below is a list of some types of fixed food businesses; for a more extensive list, please refer to the application form.
- Retailer
- Hotel/Motel/Guest house
- Supermarket
- Childcare Centre
- Restaurant/Café
- Pub/Tavern
- Storage
- Transport
Please note: if you are an existing food business who will be making structural alterations or layout changes, you will be required to lodge an application for Approval to Construct or Alter a Food Business Application. It is also a requirement to undertake a Foodsafe Program, I'm Alert Online Food Safety Training or other food handling training programs.
For further information, please contact the Environmental Health Team.
Food Premise Inspections
Environmental Health Officers routinely inspect Food Premises within the City of Melville, the frequency of assessment is determined by risk. Food Premises assessments are undertaken to ensure the premises complies with the Food Act 2008 and the Australian New Zealand Food Safety Standards. The assessment looks primarily at food safety and hygiene practices and ensuring the food they are producing / selling is safe for consumption. As part of the assessment we also make sure that the food proprietors meet their obligations in regards to Allergens.
See attached for further information in regards to Allergens.
Food Trucks, Mobile Food Businesses and Food Stalls
If your business is based outside of the City of Melville but you are intending to operate a mobile food business within the City, you will need to fill out a Notification/Registration of Temporary Food Business form.
If you are thinking of starting up a new business as a mobile trader within Melville you will need to register with us as a Mobile or Temporary Food Business.
In addition you will need to submit an application under our local laws for a Traders Permit if trading as a mobile vehicle or from a specific location within the City. If you are attending an organised event, the event organiser will need to complete an application for a stall holder permit and include your business name on the application.
Scores on the Doors
We operate a hygiene recognition scheme that awards businesses that meet and exceed food safety requirements with a star rating out of five. Look out for Scores on the Doors certificates on display at food businesses around the City.
Please refer to Scores on Doors - Participants to see which of your local businesses have already joined the scheme.
You can see a list of Scores on Doors participants on the easy to use dashboard below.
- Click on slices on the donut chart to filter participating food premises by score.
- Click on any suburb on the heatmap to filter to participating food premises in that suburb.
- You can use ‘Search for a food premise’ to search for participating food premises.
If you have any feedback on how we can improve your experience using this tool, please click ‘was this page helpful?’ on the bottom of the webpage and tell us your thoughts.
Applying for a Liquor Licence
For detailed information about licence types, trading hours, approved managers, restrictions and information for licensees you may wish to visit the State Government liquor licensing website.
To obtain a liquor licence for your food business, you'll need to submit the following information:
- Completed City of Melville Section 39 Application Form
- Completed page 2 of 2 - Certificate of Local Health Authority (section 39)
- Plans showing your proposed licensed area
- Please note that you will also need to complete page 2 of 2 of the Certificate of Local Planning Authority (section 40) form which will need to submitted separately viaour online services.